Russia Attacks Ukrainian Gas-Electric Infrastructure With 161 Drones And Dozens Of Missiles

JAKARTA - Russia launched 161 drones and a dozen missiles overnight. The attack targeted gas infrastructure in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine and destroyed electricity supply in the southern region of Odesa for the second night in a row.

The attack was part of an intensive attack on Ukraine's energy system over the past month when Russia discussed ending its war in Ukraine with US President Donald Trump's new government, blaming Ukraine for the Russian invasion.

"The purpose of this criminal attack is to stop the gas production needed to meet the domestic needs of citizens and central heaters," Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko said via Facebook.

The Ukrainian military said they shot down 80 drones and 78 of them were "lost", possibly due to electronic countermeasures.

According to him, Russia also fired about 14 missiles aimed at what it called an "important infrastructure" in Kharkiv.

Ukraine's main gas production capacity, which includes nearly half Ukraine's gas needs, is at the forefront of Kharkiv and neighboring Poltava.

Russia has previously focused missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's electricity sector, but in recent months it has sharply stepped up its attacks on gas storage facilities and production fields.

Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz said its gas production facilities in several areas were damaged in the latest attack.

"The situation is under control, although it is very difficult," said Naftogaz CEO Roman Chumak.

Chumak emphasized his company "is preparing all possible scenarios and continues to import gas."

Ukraine's gas import volume has increased nearly ten times since early February following a Russian missile strike targeting its gas facilities.

Data from the state-run operator of the Ukrainian gas transmission system showed imports amounting to 22.20 million cubic meters (mcm) on Thursday compared to 25.80 mcm on Wednesday and a record high of 26.7 mcm on Tuesday.

In the Odesa region, a "large" drone strike injured one person and cut off electricity to 5,000 local residents, prosecutors said via the Telegram messaging application.

"This attack also damaged administrative buildings and residential areas as well as private company storage facilities," they added.

"About 49,000 consumers are still experiencing power outages as of Thursday morning," said Odesa regional governor by goalkeeper.

Russia said its attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure was designed to weaken its military and accidentally target civilians, although thousands have been killed since the Moscow invasion nearly three years ago.